Jimmy Butler Wants to End NBA Career with Heat; Eyes Brazilian Basketball League

Six-time All-Star forward Jimmy Butler wants to end his career with the Miami Heat, but he'd definitely be up for playing for Flamengo in Brazil's premier basketball league (Novo Basquete Brasil) when his days in the Association are over.

"I mean, yeah. In the NBA? For sure," Butler told Rohan Nadkarni of GQ when asked if he wanted his last NBA stop to be in Miami. "But then after that, I really do want to play for Flamengo. I tell everybody, I'm half-Brazilian."

Nadkarni added that Butler, who is close with Neymar and has spent a lot of time in Brazil, expressed those sentiments to him back in August.

The 34-year-old Butler has one more year left on his contract. He can then pick up a 2025-26 player option for $52.4 million or become a free agent.

Butler may want to end his career in Miami, which won the Eastern Conference in 2020 and 2023 under his leadership.

It's not clear whether the feeling is mutual.

Heat team president Pat Riley said to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press that the Heat "haven't in earnest discussed" an extension on Butler, although he did say "no" when asked if the team might ponder trading Butler given his contract situation.

"We have not discussed that internally right now," Riley said, per the AP. "We have to look at making that kind of commitment and when do we do it. We don't have to do it until 2025, actually. But we'll see. We haven't made a decision on it, and we haven't really in earnest discussed it."

Butler reportedly seeks a two-year extension worth $113 million this summer, per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. He did just enjoy another productive season, averaging 20.8 points and 5.3 rebounds. Unfortunately, a sprained right MCL kept Butler out for the team's first-round playoff series loss to the Boston Celtics in five games.

Butler has largely been tremendous since signing with the Heat in 2019, averaging 21.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists for a team that's made the playoffs each of his five seasons. "Playoff Jimmy" has notably brought it in the playoffs too (24.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 5.7 APG).

On the flipside, Butler has also missed 100 regular season games over five years, and it seems like that might be factor in Miami deciding whether to offer Butler that extension next year.

"That's a big decision on our part to commit those kinds of resources unless you have somebody who's going to be there and available every single night," Riley said. "That's the truth."

Riley did acknowledge Butler's impact on the franchise, though, saying he "moves the needle the most" and that he's "an incredible player." Which is certainly true, given his tremendous exploits and impact on the Heat, whose 268 wins since 2019 are fifth-most in the NBA, per Reynolds.

Ultimately, Butler will certainly be around for at least one more season. His future after that is a bit murky, but as of now, it appears playing in Brazil is a distinct possibility down the road too.